Perfumes and the Women Who Love Them

by: Jim Jin
If it is Valentine’s Day, then many men resort to flowers or candy to show the women in their lives just how much they really care. For the bigger holidays such as birthdays or Christmas, men typically reach a bit deeper into their pockets for the larger ticket items such as jewelry or perfume. But the reason why so much perfume is sold in any given year has far more to do with hormones and the feelings created by certain scents than by the gift-giving rationale of men.
Perfumes, colognes, and scented oils have been part of human civilization since the time of the ancient Egyptians and beyond. Jars and vases filled with exotic fragrances have also been found in ancient Chinese burial sites. In fact, the use of perfumes has no exact starting date as its exact history is unknown. All that is truly known is that women and men have been using cologne and perfume to enhance their own scent for thousands of years will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
In any given year, 66% of men and 75% of women find themselves buying cologne or perfume during the course of a year. Researchers believe that part of the reason why women love receiving perfume (and also when men love giving perfume as a gift) is due to pheromones. Pheromones are hormones thought to stimulate sexual appetite or interest and they are triggered by scent.
So do women love perfume because it makes them want to have sex? No, actually the scent has a more dramatic effect upon men. While the effect is less pronounced in women, certain colognes worn by men have been known to produce a similar desire in women. Although a link between the scent of perfume and increased sexual desire has been found, researchers do not believe that it explains the desire to wear perfume on a daily basis.
In fact, most scientists believe that human pheromones and their impact upon our behavior has decreased over the years as we have become more advanced and civilized. While most scientists conclude that scent once played a rather large part in human mating habits, they believe that it has relatively little to do with sexual attraction in this day and age.
So then…why do women love perfume so much and why is it such a popular gift during the holidays? It actually seems to be due to the simple feeling created by wearing any fragrance that one finds appealing. In fact, the feeling created by a woman wearing perfume is similar to that made by a candle used for aromatherapy. It is soothing, subtle, and slightly romantic but not really sexual in nature.
Of course, it does not really matter why precisely a woman loves wearing perfume. All that is truly important is that she does love to smell great and the attention she receives when wearing her favorite perfume. In time, the perfume and the scent of her own body will combine into a singular aroma that will literally become her own scent.
As the sense of smell can recall the most vivid of memories, it is this unique scent of a woman combined with her perfume that people tend to remember most when thinking of that person. Men will often buy the same perfume for a woman even years after she has ceased using it because it is the scent they have come to identify with that woman.
And yet, women do move on to new perfumes and always seem to be on the search for a new scent to adorn their bodies. Of course, it is not surprising for some higher end perfumes to cost $100’s of dollars per bottle which is why a large number of women and men find themselves shopping for their favorite brands online. The Internet can also be a great place to find deals on new perfumes and fragrances as most websites generally offer a much greater selection than traditional stores.
The love of perfume by both men and women may be completely instinctual and somehow related to sexuality. However, the fact is that perfume just plain smells great and therefore puts us in a good mood. Who doesn’t like something that smells good—be it a pot roast or a garden lily? Of course, pot roast has a tendency to make us hungry…so what does the smell of fine perfume make us? There has to be a really good reason why perfume is so popular, now doesn’t there??

Leia Mais

Very Simple, Easy Ideas For Your Date

by: Laura Hickey http://www.laurahickey.com
Plan a romantic meal for two.You’ve seen in movies, on TV and even in music videos couples enjoying a romantic dinner. But if you’re scratching your head, take a deep breathe and read on for some simple ways to create the romantic meal you’ve always wanted.You- Let’s start with yourself. Choose an outfit that is sexy yet classy. Avoid excess use of chemical infused mousse, gel and hair spray. Smell is linked to memory so don’t forget to put on a nice smelling body spray/perfume.The Mood- Light candles around areas not near curtains, wires, etc... A scented candle may add or overpower your evening. Flowers all around can create a positive and great smelling scent. But make sure your date isn’t allergic. You can also add flower petals on the floors, table tops and on top of the bed. Music- Usually soft background music is best. The meal- A home cooked meal has been known to impress their dates. But if you’re an awful cook, order some food to go. Along with some dessert.Options before the dinner-A massage- Massaging your dates back, neck and arms.Bubble bath- A bubble bath with a glass of wine can be quiet romantic. Remember to clip your toe nails so you don’t accidentally scratch your date.Scrapbook- This idea may not seem all that romantic. But having a scrapbook of you two together with your first date, photos and other memories can be a cherishing gift.A treasure hunt- Leave little notes that lead your date to a candle lit dinner under the moon and stars.Perhaps send a romantic invitation to avoid your date showing up under dressed. Being relaxed will help your date relax as well. You don't need to spend hundred's to achieve a romantic evening. Showing your date you've tried can sometimes be enough. Good luck!

Leia Mais

Freecycle Means Free Stuff and a Cleaner Environment

by: Joe Hickman, HaLife.com
Over one million members in almost 3,000 communities worldwide are sharing their unwanted stuff.All the getting and giving is possible through an organization called Freecycle, a grassroots movement of people who give away things for free in their own towns. Each local group is run by a local volunteer moderator. All of the trading is done online. Membership is free. Freecycle is open to individuals and non-profit organizations. The Freecycle Network was started in 2003 in Tucson, Arizona, to promote waste reduction and help save desert landscape from being taken over by landfills. In just two years the idea has spread worldwide.The process is quite simple. Go to www.freecycle.org and find a group near you. (If there's not one close, consider starting one yourself.) Then when you want to find a new home for something, just send an e-mail offering it to members of your Freecycle group.Some groups have restrictions on what you can and cannot post, but most limitations are simply that the item needs to be completely free, legal, and appropriate for all ages. What you offer doesn't matter: computer parts, couch, clothing, an old window, broken car, perfume, whatever.If you have it and don't want it, someone else probably can put it to good use.If something is posted that you're interested in obtaining, simply respond to the member's offer. The giver decides who receives the gift and sets up a pickup time for passing on the treasure. Sometimes it's as simple as "I'll leave it on the front porch of 123 Main St., come by anytime."Many local networks also allow "wanted" posts. If you're looking for a 10 gallon aquarium, check with Freecycle first. Odds are good someone may have one sitting in their basement collecting dust.While each individual network may have slightly different restrictions, most are similar. There are generally four types of posts and these words must appear in the subject line of your email: Wanted: xxx, Offer: xxx, Taken: xxx, or Found: xxx. Generally, you should elaborate a bit in your emails as to why you are need something or why you are interested in picking up the item. Please save your entire life story for another forum, but responses like "I'm interested" will likely get deleted.On the other hand, something like: "I'm a single mom who just moved here after my divorce. I'd love to pick up your washing machine tonight. I would greatly appreciate not having to squeeze in time to go to the laundromat after work," will likely get consideration.Be sincere. Don't make up a woeful story trying to get something. The intent of Freecycle is to help others by giving and getting. And at the same time, help the environment.What a great, fun organization.

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Healing The Elements

by: Samantha Thurlby-Brooks
The Nature Elementals, most commonly known as Faeries, are the unseen guardians of the planet. As much as we would like to believe that their survival depends on our beliefs and ability to clap loud enough so as to restart their dying hearts, these energy beings have very little need for us. However, over the last century our persistent misuse of the planet has given these creatures the need to connect with us and teach us the ways we have lost. We have long understood that the world is a complex energy structure; vibrating substances of which the densest can be seen as material objects. Faeries are beings that resonate to a much higher frequency than ourselves, and so we often cannot see them. Faerie is a generic term for these energy beings that look after the natural world. By assuming that all Faeries look like the pretty things of Tinkerbell and the Fairy Godmother would be like saying all animals look the same. I have met Faeries of all shapes, sizes, appearances and temperaments. I have been working with the Elementals for some time now, and have received much important information from them in terms of how to look after this beautiful place we call Earth. They have been prodding and pushing me to be more aware of my impact in the environment, to the extent that after fifteen years of vegetarianism, I have now taken the plunge to be vegan. And thanks to the Faeries, I have found this to be a far easier transition than I expected. Not that everyone is expected to become vegan, but the message of the Faeries is to become conscious of our affects on the world around us. In time, as they have done with me, allowing yourself to listen to the Faeries will help you to develop more and more behaviours that are inline with the healing of the planet.The Faerie Elementals can be divided into the appropriate elements they represent and, working with those elements they have specific lessons they would like us to learn. Earth, Water, Fire and Air, the four major elements (Moonlight being a Faerie fifth element), have all become out of balance over the last fifty years, more so than the planet is able to cope with. Mother Nature is exhausted and the Faeries are demanding our attention.So the Faeries of the element of Earth are telling us that using manmade pesticides in the soil is stripping the planet of vital nutrients, some of which have taken thousands of years to accumulate. We are digging out fossil fuels like small children dig out their noses; and you know what happens when you pick your nose too much? It bleeds! We in the West have become a nation of litterbugs, but unlike bugs there is no predator to gobble us up and stop us from damaging the natural world. We dump all sorts into the ground, from old Hoovers and televisions, to babies’ nappies. In years to come, when intelligent life are carrying out archaeological digs, instead of finding interesting creatures and fascinating tools, they will find fossilised nappies complete with an imprint of the contents. And because they will not know what they are (as they will have been banned before they could possibly remember) they will use it as abstract art and place it on their walls! Imagine, pooie nappies on the walls of sophisticated people! Or maybe because the nappies are so hard and big they would use them to make insulation for their homes, or have Olympic contests like the Scottish fling cow pats!!! Not that we should, of course, carry on putting this stuff into the earth for the entertainment of those to come. Using biodegradable or washable nappies is a much nicer way to respect our earth and our babies bodies.Earth Faeries have a large bone to pick with us from all the deforestation we are subjecting the earth to. Imagine each tree being allocated a Faerie to coach it and encourage it to become beautiful and healthy. All those trees being destroyed are producing many thousands of redundant Faeries! They’re not impressed! The trees work closely with the Air Faeries and also use the Water Faeries for nourishment. The Fire Faeries need the wood to support their cause also. So, imagine all those angry Faeries shouting at us; we’ve got to start listening! An unusual comment, but an important one, is the idea of burying our dead in coffins. These solid, varnished wooden caskets are no way to allow our dead bodies to return to Mother Earth. How can our remains seep through such a barrier, and how can the Earth break down such chemicals? Even in death we are separating ourselves from nature. You can actually get cardboard coffins (try doing a Google search for it).So what can we do to help these fine creatures and ultimately ourselves? The message is, “Every little helps”! Organic food from local producers, picking up rubbish while out on a country walk, using renewable sources of energy, listening to the chatter in your garden and planting your own veggies in between your flowers will all help you to connect with the Elementals of the Earth.Air Elementals are just as upset with us as their Earth friends. It is common understanding that fumes from cars and industry is polluting the atmosphere causing ill health to humans and of course animals, but also causing something called Global Warming. We’re choking on our own achievements, but are too busy enjoying our technologies to be able to let them go. Millions and millions of people around the world smoke cigarettes, and millions and millions of people are aware of the damage they have on their health. But we seem to forget the damage we are allowing these white sticks of plant and chemicals to have on the air around us. Like the chemicals of burning fossil fuels, cigarette smoke is also polluting the air the earth breathes. We also often forget the pollutants of room fragrances and perfumes. These unnatural products not only affect our own lungs, but also those of all the respiring beings on Earth. Just like the affect of butterfly wings on the weather, anything that is released into the air will also have an affect on the environment. I have often heard as defence to keep cars in the game that cows produce more pollution in the atmosphere through farting than all the cars on Earth do. Cows, however, do not naturally breed to the extent we have forced them to in recent years. And with the amount of bad food us humans eat, I’m sure humans produce far more noxious gases out of our rear ends than all the cows could possibly muster! And just as the Earth is unimpressed with our treatment of the dead, so too is the Air annoyed that we burn these unnatural boxes with our deceased loved ones, allowing the chemicals to be burned and released into the atmosphere and the trees wasted.So the Faerie way of celebrating this essential element would be to take some deep lungfuls of air, and celebrate the fact that it is here to keep us prancing about this beautiful land. Use natural fragrances, such as organic essential oils, to sweeten your room. And maybe when you fart, do say “excuse me” so as not to offend the noses around you, including those of the unseens!The playful spirits of the Water element have very little to play about these days. More and more pollution is being dumped into the oceans and rivers. Governments keep pushing the levels of “acceptable” waste up and up. They obviously only listen to the fat cats, and not the water folk! Sea life is being destroyed and tap water is harming us thanks to our “civilised” way of making it “clean”. Powerful weapons are being tested and dangerous waste is being dumped in the most abundant element on earth. How many of us, however, blame the governments for the waste being deposited by large corporations? But the macrocosm reflects the microcosm, and vice versa. As individuals we pollute our water supplies, damaging the fish and sea/river life and without even thinking about it. For example, walking down the street we see masses of people with bleached and dyed hair, hair gel making us look like Lego Men, and their bowels and bladders ready to drop the chemicals they have been allowing into their bodies via junk food and fizzy drinks. All of this ends up in the water system. Over the last hundred years, we have started to believe that we must use washing up liquid to make our dishes sparkle, and use bleach to get rid of “harmful” bacteria. Now all of a sudden we have anti-bacterial soaps keeping us safe from the evils of the “enemy” bacteria. So what was it that we did before we had these miracle products in our lives? We had resistance and a healthy immune system. All of these chemicals, most of which are substances not found in nature, go into the water system. They do not stop working just because they are out of our sight. Bacteria are ways in which the Earth can keep a balance, yet these antibacterial agents are killing of far more than we intended. Would you drink a glass of water with soap in it? No? Why not? Fish seem to, and they blow pretty bubbles! Mind you, the rate we’re going we’ll probably end up seeing fish with lovely blonde hair, clean teeth and a clean use of language!!!! (Wash your mouth out with soap and water!) All the drugs we swallow to make ourselves “better” get peed out into the toilet and rotates around the water cycle of the earth passing through humans, animals and plants. Everything we put in the water ends up in the natural cycle without discrimination. If it cannot be broken down into natural substances, it cannot be broken down at all; why would you want to drink your neighbour’s washing-up water, or your daughters pink hair-dye?And the fourth element of Fire, has been showing its power, in the land of Australia, through our destruction of the Ozone Layer. This is due to the Green House Effect, or Global Warming, produced through the imbalance of the element of Air. The sun and the distant stars give life to the planets they shine on. With the right combination of elements, the element of fire can produce or destroy life. The planet is warming up at an unnatural rate, yet we still persist in ignoring this warning sign. We use the element of fire to produce unnatural chemicals such as hydrogenated fats (fats heated at high temperatures and subjected to hydrogen atoms). These fats store themselves in the body as they are not natural, and the body does not know how to deal with them. If the body can release these fats, they are then excreted into the water system, much to the furry of the Water Faeries.Thousands of years ago, the human race took a huge leap in evolution when we learnt how to make fire. It kept us warm when we had no shelter, it cooked our food when we could not eat raw, and it gave us communication across long distances. But, nowadays, we’d be very hard pushed for each of us to create fire without the use of unnatural means such as lighters and matches. What would happen to us if there was some sort of disaster that prevented us from using these tools? Where has our respect gone for this beautiful and powerful element? What can we do? Each morning when you rise, no matter how many clouds there are in the sky, give thanks to the beauty of the sun and the light it shines, appreciating the unseen Faeries for the work they do to help convert this energy into physical form. Give thanks for the beautiful colours that are produced from the rays of the sun, and dance in the light of the rainbows created on your sitting room wall from the crystals hanging in the window.Now you can understand from all of this shouting and stamping of my feet, how much I have been through with the Faeries over the last few years, and the important message they wanted me to impart with you. How much more shouting is needed is entirely down to you, but I think now that the Faeries have told you, you’ll be hard pushed to ignore them! As soon as you start helping the Faerie Elementals, the sooner you can enjoy their playful and joyful nature; the nature of the natural world all around us. Being conscious of our actions is the first step to living on a balanced Earth, both environmentally and in terms of peace among humans.

Leia Mais

Mosquitoes in Your Garden? Try Planting These!

by: Scottie Johnson
If you are a serious gardener, you spend lots of time outdoors. And, for sure, you would rather be tending your plants than swatting mosquitoes. While there are many things you can do to keep mosquitoes away, there are some plants that will beautify your yard and help repel mosquitoes. As one more way to keep mosquitoes away from you and your yard, try planting these attractive plants. HORSEMINTHorsemint has a scent similar to citronella. Horsemint grows wild in most of the Eastern United States, from Mexico, Texas up to Minnesota to Vermont. It is partial to sandy soils and will grow in USDA Zones 5-10. Native Americans used it as a treatment for colds and flu. It has natural fungicidal and bacterial retardant properties because it's essential oils are high in thymol.ROSEMARYThis wonderful herb we use for seasoning is also a great, natural mosquito repellant. It has been used for centuries to keep pesky mosquitoes away. Rosemary is a native of the Mediterranean, so it likes hot, dry weather and well-drained soil. It is hardy in USDA zones 8-10, and must be grown as a pot plant in colder climates. If you happen to live in a part of the country where rosemary does not grow, you can get a good quality rosemary essential oil; mix 4 drops with ¼ cup olive oil. Store in a cool, dry place. When it comes to fresh plant oils as natural mosquito repellants, there is every reason to have the plant in your yard, if they will grow in your area. It is an inexpensive and attractive way to boost the appearance of the landscape and have natural mosquito repellants on hand as well. MARIGOLDSOrganic gardeners have used marigolds as companion plants to keep aphids away. Mosquitoes don't like its scent any better (and some humans feel the same way). Marigolds are sun-loving annuals that come in a variety of shapes and sizes for almost any landscape. They are quite easy to grow from seed. AGERATUMThis charming little bedding plant contains coumarin, and mosquitoes detest the smell. It is used in the perfume industry and is even in some commercial mosquito repellants. Don't rub ageratum on your skin, though. It has some other less desirable elements that you don't want to keep on your skin in quantity. Ageratums are annuals, and the come in a muted blue and white that compliments most other plantings.MOSQUITO PLANTSThere are two types of plants that are called mosquito plants. One is a member of the geranium family that was genetically engineered to incorporate the properties of citronella. Citronella only grows in tropical places, but it is a well known repellant for mosquitoes. This plant was created to bring the repellant properties of citronella into a hardier plant. It will grow where any geranium will thrive. Many have questioned its usefulness as a mosquito repellant, but it is attractive enough to warrant planting for it's ornamental value. The other kind of mosquito plant is agastache cana. Its common names include Texas hummingbird mint, bubblegum mint, giant hyssop, or giant hummingbird mint. As you might guess, hummingbirds are quite attracted to it. It is a New Mexico native, also found in parts of Texas. It is, in fact, a member of the mint family and its leaves do have a pungent aroma when crushed. In its native habitat, it is perennial, and is usually hardy in USDA Zones 5a-9a. It blooms late summer to early fall, so it catches hummingbirds on their annual migration. The long, medium pink flowers reel in butterflies as well.CATNIPOne of the most powerful mosquito repellant plants is ordinary catnip. Recent studies have shown that it is ten times more effective than DEET at repelling mosquitoes. It is a short lived perennial throughout most of the United States. It is easy to grow from seed, and quickly reseeds. Aside from its intoxicating effects on cats, the leaves make a very soothing tea.With all of these plants, the leaves must be crushed to release the aroma. Otherwise mosquitoes can't smell them. And, with rosemary and catnip, you can simply crush a few leaves and rub on your skin and clothing to enhance the effect. So, next time you are revising your plantings, consider using some of these attractive plants to do more than just enhance the landscape. You can have pretty ornamentals that also drive mosquitoes away.

Leia Mais

Pets. The Wild Kind

by: David Leonhardt
Just because we moved out to the country a couple years back does NOT mean we want to run a farm. Tending to animals is just not how we want to spend our time. We don't want cows or sheep or chickens. We don't want hogs or ducks. We don't even want a dog or a cat to train.
OK, so my wife says that she wants a cat, but that's only because she knows I won't have anything to do with it. I suspect that if I ever said, "OK, you win. Let's get a cat", she would run screaming down the stairs pulling at her hair and just keep on running... causing damage to the stairway carpet, not to mention the window at the bottom of the staircase.
We don't want a parrot or a rabbit or a hamster or even a mouse.
But when you live in the country, you have pets, whether you like it or not.
The first summer, we were welcomed by Muffet the skunk. Although she never responded to that name, we let her keep it. She just loved our compost heap. In fact, she had a frequent-eater pass at the all-you-can-eat compost buffet.
The second summer we were skunk-free, but this summer we were blessed with a new traveling perfume salesman. We did not name him, but we have determined that he is on a diet. He stays away from the all-you-can-eat compost buffet.
He is also much less intelligent than Muffet. When we see him, we jump and shout and wave our hands to get his attention,. But we usually have to get his attention three or four times before something in his microbe-sized brain clicks in and says, "Wait a minute. That's not the hot dog vendor beckoning me to clean up his leftovers. Maybe I should turn around."
But he is smart enough provide a two-tier burglar deterent. First, he drives them away with his odor. "Peee-ew. Let's go rob the Jensons down the road." Second he digs thousands of tiny pits all over the lawn to trip any burglar foolish enough to try to escape.
And to answer your question, no I did not personally verify the gender of these skunks. But you are free to check if you doubt my word.
This summer, we discovered an exotic spider (See http://www.vitamin-supplements-store.net/spider.html ). Painted on its inch-long black back are two bright yellow eyes. Spooky. We even watched it wrap its prey – a small, light brown flying thingy. With amazing speed, the spider scurried from the center of her web toward the helpless victim at least a foot away. Then in a matter of two seconds flat, the spider spun the fly around three or four times, weaving it into a web cocoon like rolling a corpse in a carpet behind Luigi's Fine Finer and Smokes. No gangster could have operated with one tenth the speed.
Just a few hours ago, I was proud to show off a bees nest over a foot tall hanging from a low branch in our One Acre Woods.
"Wow. It's just like in Winnie the Pooh!" That was Little Lady, now 3 years and 3 months old.
"Destroy it. There must be thousands of bees in there!" That was my wife.
The fact is that I have had to destroy four bees nests in the past three weeks, all between the stones in our foundation. I am not keen to drive the bees away from their forest nest and toward the house. In fact, I think I'll post an arrow sign near the house pointing to the forest: "Cheap rent. Spacious hive. Vibrant community."
So far, we've avoided the pets inside the house – we won't discuss the "storm trooper ants incident" or the midnight mouse-trap peanut-butter visits – and we have kept the hogs and sheep at bay (although the chickens sheepishly crawl through the fence and the stray cats like to run hog wild around our land).
No pets, perhaps. But you still have to share your space with skunks and spiders and bees when you live in the country.
Coming soon to a humor column near you: How I adopted 14,673 cluster flies on a Tuesday afternoon....without even breaking into a sweat.

Leia Mais

How to Attract, Seduce and Keep Your Man

by: Caterina Christakos
There are three stages in any relationship:
1) Attraction
2) Seduction
3) Maintain or Abandon Ship
The attraction stage involves flirting and projecting an attractive image. We play with our hair bit more, use our eyes to attract his attention or appear mysterious and draw his attention to our legs by crossing and uncrossing them. We also take as much care as possible to appear at our best. This is the easy part.
The next stage is when we decide to take things to the next level, usually sexually. We bring out or sexiest lingerie and scent ourselves with the most seductive perfumes and body oils imaginable. From there it doesn't take much hinting to let him know that if he doesn't take you to bed soon, you may direct all that pent up passion in someone else's direction.
3)Finally there is the maintenance or abandon ship stage. This is the area where most of us get into trouble.
Here are the errors in judgment that most of us make:
1) We don't take as much care with our appearance. Think back on the beginning of your relationship. How many times did you wear sweatpants in front of him then?
Are you taking the same amount of time applying your makeup as you did back then? When was the last time you brushed your teeth or had a breath mint before you kissed him?
2) We slack on our exercise routine. When we are trying to attract the love of our lives, we exercise, eat more salads and generally are so infatuated that we forget to eat.
At the last stage of a relationship, our gym membership cards seem to get lost and in its place we find Ben and Jerry's and chocolate cake.
3) We forget to keep the mystery in our relationships.
Did you actually use the toilet in front of him when you were first dating? Of course not! Don't let yourself get so comfortable that you forget that bodily functions are not the high point of romance.
4) We criticize instead of admiring his best points. In the beginning he was wonderful and I am sure that you told him so. When was the last time you paid him a compliment lately?
Finding a man and seducing him is the easy part, despite our occasional slumps. It is the work that you put in to keeping the seduction, flirtation, mystery and romance that will keep him on board or send him scurrying to abandon ship.

Leia Mais

1st Class on the TITANIC

by: James Sorrell
***365 of the planet's richest people, (including Bill Gates), have as much$$$ as 2.6 BILLION of the poorest [which is totally obscene!!!]. That isonly 43 more people than were in 1st Class on the TITANIC! [There were 322of them] In order for these greedy rich to be so wealthy, they have to keepbillions poor, many homeless! In this ordered Universe, there are specificblessings distributed by the 'Maker of All Things' to each of us; but theobscene rich have played the game of MONOPOLY for real and stolen away theopportunities of billions of people! They were initially given wealth as ashared trust, to see that all have some share in humanity {"Love yourneighbor as yourself" means that you see to it that your neighbor has itjust as good as you do; all 6 billion of us on this "blue marble" areneighbors & at least 33rd cousins--->Genesis 6:9 We ALL come from Noah's 3sons!}.....We should ALL have a share in humanity, but the rich hoardinstead of sharing, which was part of their deal that they ignore. In theUSA, everyone (300 million) could be a millionaire if the rich were JUSTmillionaires (1 million $$ each). 'No poor, no homeless, nodis-enfranchised' is the possibility when opportunities are equal for all;the economy would be 90% better because everyone is a participating member,and there would be no theft [99% gone]! It is time to start the MONOPOLYgame all over again!!! In the opening part of the original film, "Planet ofthe Apes", actor Charlton Heston states the reason why he left modern Earthin a spaceship, never to return..."Because brother goes to war with brother,and men do nothing while their neighbor's children starve". We didn't comefrom animals, but began our existence as human; should we now act like theinstinctual animals that live by "the survival of the fittest", where thereis no love? Love is only something you can spend on God and otherhumans...you cannot spend it on yourself, or anything lower....that is notlove; that is "self"! SEE--->"LOVE is the Real Thing" onhttp://excoboard.com/exco/index.php?boardid=1979 or http://keeperofflame.proboards24.com/. "Poverty is the worst form of violence." Mahatma Gandhi [The father of India'sfreedom].....The 1st Class rich on the TITANIC learned the lesson ofequality too late: when the ship went down, they all went down together, nomatter where you were on the boat! Will the rich learn now, before it is toolate....when the poor of the planet sink the ship by burning the lovelessworld down, each city, in one night....the fuse lit and the chaos spread byinstant planet-wide communication of the beginning event??----------[From: "The Life of Emile Zola".........."You know that people don't want to see the starved face of truth; they would much prefer perfumed lies".]----------The conscience of man must have another moment in time; in OUR time!---by Jim Sorrell

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How Can We Build Enchantment Into Our Lives? - Part 1

by: Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
Please stay with me for this two part article about how our environments add enchantment to every day living.I remember when I was a child how much I loved my grandmother Silverman's things. They were not just the functional plastic items, earthenware and stuffed sofas that most families had when I grew up. All of the furniture and things in her apartment were 'alive' with romance, magic and beauty. For instance, there was statue of a beautiful lady that stood in her hall. Actually, she was a 'bust'. That meant that her shoulders, a bit of her bosom, and of course her head were all carved in ivory. She was so wonderful, with perfect features and a delicate smile. She rested forever on a black marble column that had streaks of light colors running through it. I loved her and I wanted her to be mine! I begged my grandmother, "Please, may I have that statue someday?"She promised it to me, but reminded me that the reason it was white on black was that originally there had been two statues. Over the years, each had fallen over. The base of one broke and the head of the other, so I would need to be careful and always watch that children did not fall near the statue. They could hurt themselves or break her. Even with the warning, I wanted her. I promised that I would be careful.Her furniture also had such presence. The front hall chair was carved dark mahogany. It was big and shiny and very heavy. It felt like it had meaning, not just a place to sit. Perhaps fascinating people had sat in it; perhaps stunning women in long white dresses holding parasols, even.Likewise the buffet cabinet was full of smells--various liquors and chocolates that had left strange and appealing perfumes over many years. It had a real presence. After all, there was a garden of aromas inside as pungent and real as the flowers outside.Everything she had was so intense. She had beautiful colored glass plates in greens and blues. She had silverware that had mother-of-pearl handles. She had real linen tablecloths. She even had a set of the Book Of Knowledge, filled with endless stories, poems and answers to my most remote questions. Yes, her apartment was to me, an entrance way to beauty, fantasy and knowledge. It was Feng Shui before there was such a thing in our country.That was then, and now is now. I am happy to report that Ms. Statue is in my living room as proud as ever. I have fake flowers in front of her to make it hard to get too close to her! So far there have been no accidents. The buffet is a resident also, now holding our small liquor supply. The silverware is here, used on only the most special occasions. The colored plates and the linens are gone, but the Books of Knowledge are right behind me in the computer room. My grandmother helped me find beauty and welcome it as a permanent being into my home. She helped me feel good about putting beautiful things together and living with them everyday. By the way, her hall chair is my patient's chair in my office. So indeed it has heard many a story and keeps all its secrets!Come back next week to read how my Virtual Assistant, Rebecca, put beauty, meaning and form into her home. Her story is different from mine, as each of ours are, but it is the same in the sense that it is her way of building enchantment into her life.

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46 Clues Your Partner is Having an Affair

by: Dr. Robert Huizenga, The Infidelity Coach
Some of these signs of a cheating spouse are "tongue in cheek" while others are tell tale signs that commonly appear with a cheating husband or cheating wife. There is no copyright. Feel free to forward to those who might be interested. But please don't change anything.Signs of a Cheating Spouse:1) You find birth-control pills in her medicine cabinet, and you've had a vasectomy.2) Mutual friends start acting strangely toward you. (They either know about the cheating or have been told stories about what a horrible wife or girlfriend you are.)3) Your cheating husband or wife stops confiding in you and seeking advice from you.4) Sets up a new e-mail account and doesn't tell you about it.5) He leaves the house in the morning smelling like Irish Spring and returns in the evening smelling like Safeguard.6) She joins the gym and begins a rigorous workout program.7) She buys a cell phone and doesn't let you know.8) He sets up a separate cell phone account that is billed to his office.9) The cheating husband carries condoms, and you are on the pill.10) Begins to delete all incoming phone calls from the caller ID.11) Deletes all incoming e-mails when they used to accumulate.12) He becomes "accusatory," asking if you are being true to him, usually out of guilt.13) Raises hypothetical questions such as, "Do you think it's possible to love more than one person at a time?"14) He buys himself new underwear.15) He insists the child seat, toys, etc., are kept out of his car.16) The cheating wife stops wearing her wedding ring.17) Has a sudden desire to be helpful with the laundry.18) Has unexplained scratches or bruises on his or her neck or back.19) Suddenly wants to try new love techniques.20) He/she fairly suddenly stops having sex with you.21) He/she suddenly wants more sex, more often.22) Supposedly works a lot of overtime, but it never shows up on the pay stub.23) Picks fights in order to stomp out of the house.24) You find out by accident he or she took vacation day or personal time off from work - but supposedly worked on those days.25) Shows a sudden interest in a different type of music.26) Spouse's co-workers are uncomfortable in your presence.27) Has a sudden preoccupation with his or her appearance.28) Spends an excessive amount of time on the computer, especially after you have gone to bed.29) He throws up a lot because he just ate at his mistress's house and had to eat the dinner you prepared when he got home.30) Your spouse is away from home, either nights or on trips, more than previously.31) His/her clothes smell of an unfamiliar perfume or after-shave. You see lipstick on your husband's shirt.32) The amount of money being deposited into your checking account drops off.33) You find items of intimate apparel or other small gift-type items that you did not give your spouse.34) Your spouse seems less comfortable around you and is "touchy" and easily moved to anger.35) You get calls where the caller hangs up when he or she hears your voice.36) He/she loses attention in the activities in the home.37) Your intuition (gut feeling) tells you that something is not right.38) He/she has a definite change in attitude towards everyone in the home.39) She uses a low voice or whisper on the phone or hangs up quickly.40) She has a "glow" about her.41) Atypical erratic behavior.42) He sneaks out of the house.43) She sleeps with her purse by the bed.44) She goes to the store for groceries and comes home 5 hours later.45) He tells you that you can get hold of him at a different telephone number.46) The telltale sign of a cheating spouse? Having to ask that question in the first place. Dr. Robert Huizenga, The Infidelity Coach, has helped hundreds of couples over the past two decades heal from the agony of extramarital affairs and survive infidelity. Visit his website at: http://www.break-free-from-the-affair.com/cmd.php?ad=139627

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Could Your Loved One Be Getting Alzheimer's? 5 Early Warning

by: Jim Erskine
Advance warning signs of Alzheimer's can be detected long before memory loss problems are apparent. Here's what to look for.Alzheimer's Disease is the most common cause of dementia in older Americans, affecting an estimated 8% to 15% of people over 65. In most cases, the disease is diagnosed by a physician only after family members observe signs of memory loss and impairment. However, there are also advance warning signals that point to potential Alzheimer's which can be detected months, or even years before clinical symptoms appear.
The five early warning signals to watch for are:
1) Unusual fingerprint patterns: Studies have shown that up to 75% of people who develop Alzheimer's have an abnormal number of "ulnar loop" patterns on their fingertips. Similar patterns are usually found on Down's Syndrome patients, suggesting that some people may have a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's.
2) Loss of the sense of smell: The indivindual's ability to discern odors may greatly diminish a year or two before memory problems are apparent. They may be unable to identify common household odros, such as flowers, chocolate or perfume.
3) Hearing Loss can also occur, usually without the individual being aware of it. Signs to watch for include turning up the TV too loud; avoiding use of the phone; missing out on conversations, etc.
4) Depression: Over 50% of all Alzheimer's patients exhibit unusual bouts of depression and lethargy, up to two years before memory problems are noticed.
5) Difficulties with visual perception: The individual may be unable to recall visual details about objects, or may not be able to follow maps or directions when driving.
The importance of early detection of potential Alzheimer's cannot be overstated. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the more effective intervention and treatment will be -- allowing the individual to live a longer, healthier life.

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7 Ways to Create Abundance in Your Life

by: Caterina Christakos
7 Ways to Create Abundance in Your LifeYou have heard it time and again. Lottery Winners losing it all and trust fund babies wasting their parent's hard earned cash. In fact, up to 80% of the lottery winners in this country file bankruptcy within five years. Most of us say," That would never happen to me. You would have to be really dumb to lose all that money." Yet the very reason that these individuals let their money run through their fingers is the very reason that most of us are still working pay check to paycheck.
It is a lacking mindset that is responsible for our financial difficulties. Many of us believe:
1) I don't deserve this
2) I feel guilty because it happened to me and not ___________
3) This can't be real
4) etc...
So we sabotage our own success.
Those with money that work their way up from the bottom or build the wealth they have easily, have the one thing that most of us lack - a million dollar mind set. All wealth begins with it and all wealth is maintained by cultivating this feeling of prosperity.
Their beliefs are: 1) I am wealthy. 2) If I lost it all tommorow, I could make it back easily. 3) I deserve to be wealthy
I would bet that most of us could compile a list of hundreds of things that we "want." That sense of wanting means that we feel that we do not have these things. We are displaying our lacking mindset and creating the very life that we swear that we are trying to avoid.
When we replace this wanting feeling with the sense of already having wealth, amazing things start to occur within our brains. We begin to come up with ways of having wealth instead of merely wishing and wanting it.
How do we create this million dollar mindset?
1) Think about being wealthy and write down any thoughts that come up.
Write down the objections that already play in your mind. Write down the excuses like" It takes money to make money." And write down all the things that you wish you could have if only...
2) Release on those thoughts. Let them go and keep letting them go until the negative emotions go away with them.
3) Replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
4) Fill your mind with the images of what you want and picture yourself already having them.
5) See yourself as you will be. Feel what you will feel. Add audio and even the things that you will smell when you reach that state. ex. the type of perfume you might wear, the sound of bankers begging to give you loans, the feel of silk upon your skin, etc...
6) Keep releasing your negative emotions and thoughts until you have what you have been wanting all these years.
7) Act upon the incredible ideas that your subconscious shares with you fearlessly.
Caterina Christakos is an internationally recognized writer and public speaker. For more information on the release technique that helped make her a success go to: http://www.lasvegashotelandcasinoreview.com/bin/ap.pl?Prosperity

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Living Pure in an Impure World

by: Margot B
Since chemicals are often the cause of problems, try to stay away from as many as possible. Note your reaction when you get exposed to them.
AVOIDING ALLERGY-CAUSING SUBSTANCES
Common sensitivities are caused by tobacco smoke, perfume and sponge rubber.
Avoid sprays. Try baking soda for deodorant.
Check children's toys for odours. Their markers, Playdough, etc. may be creating problems for them.
The following are found to be used safely by many sensitive individuals: Baking soda: 2% solution can be used as an air freshener, chrome cleaner, windshield and windshield wiper cleaner, plastic pants for babies, sole plates of irons. It can be used in place of toothpaste. For the very sensitive, use 2 tablespoons as a replacement for detergent for washing clothes.
Vinegar: Use for washing tile; cuts mold, cleans brass, chrome and steel. To unplug drains, pour a handful of baking soda and 1/2 glass of vinegar down the drain and cover it tightly [may have to repeat], 1/2-cup vinegar in the rinse cycle will neutralize the odor of cleaning agents in the laundry.
Soap: Ivory, Bon Ami cake soap. For clothing, grate or flake Ivory.
Bleach: Miracle White, Borax, Arm and Hammer Washing Soda.
TSP: Effective for washing walls. Use 1/2 cup per laundry load. Wear gloves when using. KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN.
Adding 1-teaspon of sodium thiosulphate in your bath water precipitates the chlorine.
To avoid molds, check baths, showers, basements and furnace humidifiers. Mold can also grow on cotton clothing overnight so change after wearing.
If you suspect chemical sensitivities, try setting up a dust-free room: Remove synthetic rugs and underlay. Use cotton curtains and avoid sponge rubber mattresses or pillows. A cotton blanket or flannel blanket should be used...no electric blankets. Clean the room using water. Avoid permanent-press sheets.
With foods, read labels! Use organically grown fruit and vegetables whenever possible. Fresh is preferable to frozen - and canned foods should be avoided as much as possible.
Use spring water stored in glass containers with cork tops. Sterilize the bottles regularly to prevent mold growth. Wash food with regular water but do the final rinse in spring water. Use spring water for drinking and brushing your teeth.
Use salt or a mixture of salt and baking soda as a toothpaste. Avoid commercially prepared mouthwashes and toothpastes.
It is preferable to use sea salt in place of regular salt, which may contain chemicals acquired during the processing and to prevent lumping.
Nuts should be stored in the refrigerator to prevent rancidity. This would include peanut or other nut butters.
Use cold-pressed vegetable and nut oils. Once the bottle is opened, store in the refrigerator.
Don’t expect immediate results. Keep a diary of all foods eaten and all medications taken. Keep a record of all symptoms and when they begin and end. If your child cheats, don’t get discouraged, just note it and watch for symptoms. The symptoms may last up to three days and are exacerbated by infection, exertion and chill.
Not eating a food you are sensitive to can cause withdrawal symptoms that may also last up to three days. The first few weeks on an elimination diet may be difficult and confusing. Your body may crave foods you used to eat every day. What you inhale and prescription drugs may also affect your reactions.
These foods can often cause sensitivities: milk, wheat, sugar, corn, peanuts, tomatoes, strawberries, chocolate, green beans, orange juice, soy products, eggs, food colourings, flavourings, and additives.
If you find that you are sensitive to some food, avoid it for three to four months.
If you react to it again, remove it from your diet for another six months. If you are an adult and react to this food again, you may have a fixed sensitivity and you may never be able to tolerate this food. Children have fixed reactions less often.
A food sensitivity usually causes symptoms within 5 minutes to an hour after eating. Food sensitivities rarely occur 2 hours after eating.
Take your pulse 20 minutes before eating, and 20, 40, 60, and 90 minutes after eating. Skipped beats or a change in pulse rate may indicate food sensitivity.
As far as possible, avoid stimulants such as coffee, tea, alcohol and cigarettes.
Remember that you are an individual. No two people react the same.
Chemical Sensitivity: Substances to avoid are gas, oil and petroleum byproducts, coal, natural hydrocarbons such as terpenes and marsh gas, alcohols, glycols, formaldehydes, insecticides, herbicides, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, synthetic fabrics including vinyl, rubber, polyester rayon, nylon, etc. - synthetic food additives such as colours, flavours, and preservatives. Avoid solvents, inks, and dyes.
Common Sources of Chemical Exposure: In the home; gas appliances including ranges, heaters, etc., vinyl upholstery, plastic food containers, synthetic carpeting, carpet backing and padding, synthetic shower curtains, garment bags, garbage bags, and furniture coverings, ironing board covers, plastic planters and artificial flowers, shelf paper, synthetic handbags, briefcases, luggage. Synthetic toys, household polishes, waxes, cleaning sprays, ammonia, cleansers, detergents, deodorants, disinfectants, television filters and electrostatic filters [use with charcoal filter].
Environmental: Oil refineries, oil and solvent storage facilities, chemical plants, incinerators and dumps, automobiles, trains, airplanes, municipal and agricultural pest control programs, municipal water supply, road and roofing repair projects.
Ways to Minimize Chemical Exposure: Do not smoke, do not use scented cosmetics, when possible, wear garments made of natural fibers, which have not been chemically treated. Minimize drug use. Avoid foods with chemical additives or preservatives. Drink water that has no fluoride or chlorine added.

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Your Personal Renaissance

by: Julie Jordan Scott
Lately my mind has been inexplicably drawn to two very important women in my life. I have seen neither of these women in thirty years, yet their influence remains. Miss Foley and Mrs. Anderson both taught at Linden Avenue Elementary School. I can still see their faces, hear their voices, and if I am really quiet, I can smell Miss Foley's perfume and hear the sounds of Mrs. Anderson's second grade classroom from the perspective of the coatroom.
Miss Foley taught me to read. Mrs. Anderson taught me to learn from what I was reading.
These two women brought about an awakening in my life. They guided me from illiteracy to artistry. It was in the second grade I discovered expression through haiku and creative writing, spinning tales regularly for myself and anyone else who I perceived was interested. Influential partners and teachers in our lives are Transformers. Revolutionaries. Together, they have the power to change humanity.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Scholarship is to be created not by compulsion, but by awakening a pure interest in knowledge. The wise instructor accomplishes this by opening to his pupils precisely the attractions the study has for himself."
Lately I have been awakened through personal study of the Renaissance period in history.
Renaissance. Merriam Webster tell us it can mean a specific period of time in Human history following the Middle Ages or it can point towards a period of revival or renewal. Finally, it can be a personal experience of an expansion in artistic and intellectual activity.
When an old year becomes history and we are given a fresh new calendar, suddenly the possibilities glisten and glean before our eyes. We stand taller, we make new commitments. We sometimes stand courageous where before we would stand in the place of fear.
All because we turn the page of a calendar from one year to the next.
A couple years ago there was quite a period of unsettle as people concerned themselves with the year 2000. All that negative, nervous energy was for naught. Worldwide, humanity collaborated to make a smooth transition from one millenium to the next.
You can make a smooth transition, today, to stand tall and courageous in Your New Renaissance.
My theme for the year 2002 is "My New Renaissance: Honoring All of Me."
Even writing that brings a smile to my face. A Re-birth. A time to love each aspect of myself be it the terrific, the so-so or the things I-am-not-so- proud-to- admit. The word "honor" reflects my willingness to respect myself as I respect others in my life. In honoring myself, my commitment to honoring others is rooted even more deeply and authentically.
In the Renaissance period of history, the People coming out of the Middle Ages began to look back to the Classical Period of Greek and Roman history to glean what they could from thinkers such as Aristotle and Plato. Socrates and Epictetus. They did not want to go BACK to the classical period: they wanted to learn the lessons and apply those lessons to their lives more than twelve centuries later.
In the Renaissance period of your life, may you look back at your history and learn from those significant lessons and apply the knowledge gained to the person you are today 15, 20, 5 or 30 years later.
It is not hiding from the past as many in Medieval times wanted to do, instead it is embracing it. Taking the time to understand it. And then leaving behind what does not fit the current you and transform what remains into something positively glorious.
When each one of us commits to our own renaissance, the world as we know it can change. Committing to your awakening is also committing to the planet. It is committing to your first grade teacher and your little league coach and your drama teacher and your grandparents.
It is saying "YES! I will leave this place better than when I arrived. I dedicate myself to rebirth in my life. I pledge to the ongoing forward movement that comes with personal renaissance. And Yes, I commit to recognizing when hurdles show up in my path I will take the time to learn the lesson of the hurdle and continue the path."
One of my favorite quotes is from American Poet, Robert Frost: "Two roads diverge in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."
Expanding in Your New Renaissance will create an environment that will bring about amazing an transformation for all of us.
Here is your challenge: Create a pledge, commitment or dedication to your personal renaissance in your own words. Write them down. Speak them aloud. Memorize them.
Live accordingly.
You will make all the difference.

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Look Natural – Wear Makeup!

by: Mike Yeager
Have you ever considered how difficult it is to look natural? Quite difficult – isn’t it? Especially if there had been no makeup available to achieve it! Many-a-website points out how ordinary our glamorous celebrities look in real life without makeup on. No wonder then that they are always on the lookout for innovative makeup supplies. Such demands have seen a virtual makeover for the makeup business much to the delight of a demanding population yearning to look good.
The art and science of good makeup.
Makeup is still an art – supported ably, of course, by science. Gone are the days when good makeup meant just soaps, perfumes and oils carefully selected after word-of-mouth recommendation. Today, your persona comes through in MAC makeup – or was it Max Factor? Take your pick! Show off your gorgeous eyes - wear eye makeup. Impress your peers with a prom makeup worn specially for "the nite". Make a statement with a tattoo or a strategic permanent makeup. Take expert advice – makeup tips are available for the asking. Desist from using chemicals which may harm your sensitive skin – wear mineral makeup instead! Consider this – you don’t have to wear stage makeup if you don’t need to flaunt your expressions under the arc lights to an audience. Wear makeup – an appropriate one. Or better still; don’t wear any – especially if you are among the lucky few who can carry off that natural look – naturally!

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Lottery Winners Lose It All

by: Caterina Christakos
You have heard it time and again. Lottery Winners lose it all and trust fund babies waste their parent's hard earned cash. In fact, up to 80% of the lottery winners in this country file bankruptcy within five years. Most of us say," That would never happen to me. You would have to be really dumb to lose all that money." Yet the very reason that these individuals let their money run through their fingers is the very reason that most of us are still working pay check to paycheck.
It is a lacking mindset that is responsible for our financial difficulties. They believe: 1) I don't deserve this 2) I feel guilty because it happened to me and not ___________ 3) This can't be real 4) etc...
Those with money that work their way up from the bottom or build the wealth they have easily, have the one thing that most of us lack - a million dollar mind set. All wealth begins with it and all wealth is maintained by cultivating this feeling of prosperity.
Their beliefs are: 1) I am wealthy. 2) If I lost it all tommorow, I could make it back easily. 3) I deserve to be wealthy
I would bet that most of us could compile a list of hundreds of things that we "want." That sense of wanting means that we feel that we do not have these things. When we replace this wanting feeling with the sense of already having wealth, amazing things start to occur within our brains. We begin to come up with ways of having wealth instead of merely wishing and wanting it.
How do we create this million dollar mindset?
1) Think about being wealthy and write down any thoughts that come up.
Write down the objections that already play in your mind. Write down the excuses like" It takes money to make money." And write down all the things that you wish you could have if only...
2) Release on those thoughts. Let them go and keep letting them go until the negative emotions go away with them.
3) Replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
4) Fill your mind with the images of what you want and picture yourself already having them.
5) See yourself as you will be. Feel what you will feel. Add audio and even the things that you will smell when you reach that state. ex. the type of perfume you might wear, the sound of bankers begging to give you loans, the feel of silk upon your skin, etc...
6) Keep releasing your negative emotions and thoughts until you have what you have been wanting all these years.
7) Act upon the incredible ideas that your subconscious shares with you fearlessly.

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Skincare -- Have You Forgotten Your Kids?

by: Colleen Langenfeld
Teaching your family about fitness and healthcare? Make sure your efforts help them feel good inside and out. Teach them about skincare that works!You're teaching your kids about the importance of nutrition, right? Balanced meals, good hydration and smart food choices are tools you give your children as they learn about self-care.
Additionally, you're probably making sure they get plenty of healthy exercise, too. Afterschool sports, weekend biking and those great family swim sessions!
Yep, you're right on track!
Uh, wait a minute. Have you missed something?
Is your family practicing healthy skincare?
If your answer is, 'yes, we use sunscreen'...well, that's a great start, but you'll need more than that to keep your kids' skin healthy. Let's start with the facts:
-- There were 35 million office visits (US) to Dermatologists annually in 2000 (source: Advance Data 328 for the CDC).
-- Approximately 13.3 million visits to office-based physicians were for skin rash in 2000 (source: Advance Data 328 for the CDC).
-- Your skin is the largest organ on your body. That fact alone should entice you to take better care of it! An adult's skin weighs 5 to 8 pounds (about 3 to 4 kilograms) and measures around 20 square feet (1.8 square meters) in size, if laid out flat.
-- If you are a woman, chances are good that you are very careful about your facial skincare and rightly so. Are you as careful about the rest of your body? And what about the rest of the family? The Mayo Clinic advises using a heavy moisturizer all over the body after bathing or showering while beads of water are still present on the skin, especially during the winter months and repeating 2 or 3 times a day!
So what is the number one skincare rule you can teach your kids? Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!
But first - take a second look at that moisturizer. You are probably already spending quite a bit on skincare for your family; are you getting quality results for your money? Recently, I realized that the generic lotions I had purchased to place in several baths and rooms around my home were simply not working! So, my family went back to our old tried - and - true brand, which costs quite a bit more than the generic. I would much rather spend extra and get actual results than spend a little and throw that money down the drain!
The bottom line? Pay close attention to the beauty and household products your family uses. The perfumes, dyes and other chemicals in these everyday products cause skin irritations for many people. Try using chemical-free or dye-free products instead. There are more on the market all the time. I personally use ALL brand Free & Clear laundry detergent for my family's laundry and I've been very happy with it. Remember, your skin is your body's first line of defense!
Plain and simple, don't shortcut your family when it comes to skincare. Give them the tools and the training they need to nourish this vital part of their body's health for the rest of their lives!
So, shop around and find products that work for YOUR family. Test a few lotions to see which ones your kids will actually use. Ask yourself if you can prevent some of the odors in your home instead of just covering them up with chemical air fresheners. You don't need to change everything. Just add some balance to your family's life.
And oh, one more thing. Don't forget the sunscreen!

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Allergy-free Wedding Flowers

by: Thomas Ogren
Allergy-free Wedding Flowers Thomas OgrenI get quite a few emails from brides-to-be, asking me which flowers would be good to use at their weddings, flowers that won’t make them or their bridesmaids start sneezing and sniffling right in the middle of the wedding. I get enough of these requests that I thought that the subject warranted its own article.Wedding flowersFirst, flowers for a wedding ought to be bright, fun, cheerful, festive flowers. For example, I like “glads,” gladiolas, but I see them used at funerals all too often, so they seem out of place at a fun affair like a wedding. The one thing you don’t want with wedding flowers is pollen! With wedding flowers very little pollen is good, and no pollen at all is by far the best.Daises: For starters I would avoid using most of the daisy-related type flowers, daisies, gerbera, chrysanthemums, asters, dahlias, and sunflowers unless you know they're pollen-free ones. There actually are quite a few chrysanthemums, dahlias and asters that are called formal doubles and that have no pollen. All of these formal doubled flowers will be ones with a very high number of petals per flower. What has happened with these flowers is that they have been hybridized so often that the pollen parts (the stamens) have turned into parts that now look more like petals (staminoids). All true formal double flowers will be pollen free.Goldenrod flowers (bright yellow) are often used as fillers in arrangements and goldenrod is a daisy-ragweed relative and will shed plenty of allergenic pollen. Don’t use goldenrod!Baby’s breath is a popular wedding flower, again, often used as filler between other larger flowers. Baby’s breath is grown and sold as single or double flowered. If you use baby's breath, use only the doubled flowered types. Roses: Florist type hybrid tea roses that are still in a closed bud stage and that are not especially fragrant are excellent choices and will shed no pollen. If using roses picked from the garden, choose only those roses with healthy green leaves, and pick roses that are still in the bud to half-open stages. Some free-flowering garden roses, such as the beautiful pale pink ‘Cecile Brunner’ roses, are always allergy-free and produce no pollen at all. The Banksia roses, which will be either yellow or white, are small, cute, come in dense sprays, and are also pollen free.Pots of blooming hydrangeas, especially of the old-fashioned Hydrangea macrophylla type, are mostly pollen-free and are good choices to use. Pots of blooming double tuberous begonias, especially all the erect type cultivars, almost all of these are great, very large, colorful flowers and pollen-free. The fancy flowered begonias called ‘Reigers’ begonias are also pollen free and come in bright colors or white, yellow, red, salmon, and pink. Lilies of all types can often now be purchased that are either simply pollen-free flowers, or else someone (who doesn't have allergies), can carefully remove the brown pollen-bearing anthers on the tip of each of the six stamens in each regular lily.... watch this pollen as it will also easily stain your wedding clothes, especially anything white. Lilies that have had the anthers removed will be completely pollen free. ** A caution here though: sap from any and all kinds of lilies can cause a very nasty, long-lasting itchy skin rash…certainly nothing any bride would want on her honeymoon! With this in mind, watch out for the sap of all lilies and of Alstromeria too. Also, it would not be a good idea for a bride to even carry a bouquet of lilies, certainly not if she has skin that is in the least bit sensitive. Anyone helping with the wedding would be wise not to stick their hands into the water in which the lilies have been standing, as this water will have the sap in it.Camellias: Camellias come in bright white, red, or pink colors and few flowers are more beautiful than nice camellias, however they are not easy to buy from florists. Still, a gardener friend may have some you could use if the season is right…spring and fall. If you can find them, there are many nice fully doubled, formal double type camellias that are pollen-free. These camellias will look fabulous floating in small bowls of water on tables. Orchids: Very few orchids cause any pollen allergies and it is now possible to buy small pots of beautiful blooming orchids at quite reasonable prices. Occasionally there is some skin rash associated with orchids, so watch any and all sap from cut flowers. Individual orchids should have their stems in small tubes of water. Although certainly not indoor plants, pots of growing pansy, viola, and impatiens also can look terrific and they are all very low allergy potential flowering plants. In California or Florida it might be possible to get large sprays of bougainvillea flowers. These now come in many colors, including bright white. Double bougainvillea flowers will have no pollen at all, and even the more typical types of bougainvillea will shed next to no pollen. Bougainvillea flowers are good too for using around perfume sensitive people, as they have next to no smell.Lawns: If the wedding is to be held on a lawn, or if the reception afterwards is, I'd suggest that the lawn be mowed two to three days ahead of time, and that a lawn mower with a really good grass catcher be used. Thomas Ogren is the author of Allergy-Free Gardening, and also of, Safe Sex in the Garden. His work has been featured on National Public Radio, on CBS Evening News, on NBC, Fox, and on HGTV. For more detail on allergy free or allergy causing plants and flowers, look up allergy free gardening on www.Allegra.com Tom Ogren’s own website is www.allergyfree-gardening.com

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Amber is Beautiful

by: Sher Maten
Amber is a beautiful! A true gift from mother nature. It comes in many different colors - yellow, orange, red, white, brown, green, blue and almost black. It may be transparent or clouded. Transparent tones range from pale to dark yellow, to yellow light brown. Cloudy amber comes in a wide range of colors. Amber is fossilized resin of ancient trees that grew in amber forests. Through various physical and chemical changes the resin becomes Amber. Amber is unique because it is able to preserve the organic tissues in it. It is very common to find pieces of plants and insects, trapped in amber making it extremely valuable to both collectors and the scientists. A beautiful and fascinating gem! Amber is found in various parts of the world. The largest amber deposits are off the shores of the Baltic Sea. Baltic Amber is the most sought after and valuable for making amber jewelry. Baltic Amber has been used for decorative items since prehistoric times. A Baltic amber amulet has even been found in Egyptian tombs . Amber was also very popular in ancient Rome during the reign of Neron when: jewelry, ornaments, amulets, and even dice were made from amber. During the Middle Ages, amber prayer beads were exported. From the 16th century into the 18th century item made from amber included jewelry, dishes, buttons, pipe mouth pieces, chess sets and a host of other fine products. The majority of Baltic amber comes from a 400-square-mile area - the Samland Peninsula, now known as the Kaliningrad region. The Kaliningrad amber mine supplies 99% of the Baltic amber. Up until the 19th century amber was retrieved manually from the sea. During the latter part of the 19th century operations became much more sophisticated as they began dredging and mining for amber. Since then millions of pounds of Baltic amber have been mined.. A small town in the Kaliningrad region has the world's largest amber mine. Amber has a special beauty in its ability for each piece to be truly original in nature and content. The downfall to amber is like anything organic it does not last forever. Baltic amber is known to have the longest life expectancy. Taking proper care of your amber will result in enjoyment for many years, sometimes thousands of years as seen with the recovery of jewels from the past. Some important tips for caring for your amber:  Never store amber where it may rub against hard surfaces such as metal or other jewelry.  Do not expose amber to harsh chemicals such as soap, jewelry cleaners, perfumes, hair products.  Do not expose amber to direct sunshine or heat.  To clean your amber wash in lukewarm water. Use a soft cloth to wash and dry. To restore the shine polish with pure olive oil. Where amber with pride, add it to your jewelry wardrobe and be sure to make your fashion statement!

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Amber The Gift From Mother Nature

by: Sher Matsen
Amber is a beautiful gift from mother nature. It comes in many different colors - yellow, orange, red, white, brown, green, blue and almost black. It may be transparent or clouded. Transparent tones range from pale to dark yellow, to yellow light brown. Cloudy amber comes in many colors.Amber is fossilized resin of ancient trees that grew in "amber forests". Through various physical and chemical changes the resin becomes Amber. Amber is unique because it is able to preserve the organic tissues in it. It is very common to find pieces of plants and insects, trapped in amber making it extremely valuable to both collectors and the scientists. A beautiful and fascinating gem!Amber is found in various parts of the world. The largest amber deposits are off the shores of the Baltic Sea. Baltic Amber is the most sought after and valuable for making amber jewelry. Baltic Amber has been used for decorative items since prehistoric times. A Baltic amber amulet has even been found in Egyptian tombs . Amber was also very popular in ancient Rome during the reign of Neron when: jewelry, ornaments, amulets, and even dice were made from amber. During the Middle Ages, amber prayer beads were exported. From the 16th century into the 18th century item made from amber included jewelry, dishes, buttons, pipe mouth pieces, chess sets and a host of other fine products. The majority of Baltic amber comes from a 400-square-mile area - the Samland Peninsula, now known as the Kaliningrad region. The Kaliningrad amber mine supplies 99% of the Baltic amber. Up until the 19th century amber was retrieved manually from the sea. During the latter part of the 19th century operations became much more sophisticated as they began dredging and mining for amber. Since then millions of pounds of Baltic amber have been mined.. A small town in the Kaliningrad region has the world's largest amber mine. Amber has a special beauty in its ability for each piece to be truly original in nature and content. The downfall to amber is like anything organic it does not last forever. Baltic amber is known to have the longest life expectancy. Taking proper care of your amber will result in enjoyment for many years, sometimes thousands of years as seen with the recovery of jewels from the past.Some important tips for caring for your amber: Never store amber where it may rub against hard surfaces such as metal or other jewelry.  Do not expose amber to harsh chemicals such as soap, jewelry cleaners, perfumes, hair products.  Do not expose amber to direct sunshine or heat.  To clean your amber wash in lukewarm water. Use a soft cloth to wash and dry. To restore the shine polish with pure olive oil.  Treat your amber like any fine gemWhere amber with pride, add it to your jewelry wardrobe and be sure to make your fashion statement!

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Aromatherapy Candles - Do You Know How to Use These 14 Key E

by: Justine van Zyl
Essential oils have been used for thousands of years, largely for medicinal purposes. Although the medical emphasis started to decline about 100 years ago, aromatherapists stayed focussed and have been studying the effect of essential oils on the body and brain for hundreds of years.
Although the cosmetic and perfume industries had become the major users of essential oils as mainstream medical interest declined, the pendulum started to swing back in 1928, when René-Maurice Cattefossé first used the term aromatherapy.Other pioneers helped foster renewed focus on essential oils, and there is now greater interest than ever in their use for cosmetic, therapeutic and spiritual purposes.Today's aromatherapists can call on at least 90 essential oils, which can be used either singly or combined. Naturally, in this modern age, they are cautious in their recommendations and claims - but they themselves are convinced believers.
Aromatherapy Fragranced Candles
Candle makers have recognised this renewed interest, and provide a wide range of products for those who want to combine a love of candles with an interest in aromatherapy. Obviously, the candles do not give as intense an effect as the direct application of an essential oil, but instead provide a more subtle influence.As they burn the candles release a continuous stream of vaporized essential oils into the air, which you absorb as you breathe. First they stimulate the olfactory nerves that lead from the nose to the brain, and then they enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body.And depending on what you want to achieve, there is probably an oil that will do just what you want it to.
The Abbreviated List
A list of 90 different oils is a bit much for a non-expert to absorb, so here is an abbreviated guide to some of the more common oils, and their associated recommendations:

1. Bergamot - extracted from a citrus fruit. Used to fight depression, and reduce stress and fatigue.
2. Chamomile - calming, refreshing, antiseptic.
3. Eucalyptus - stimulant, antiseptic. Recommended for treating coughs and colds. Used as insecticide and germicide.
4. Geranium - good for the skin, recommended for depression. Found in window boxes (particularly in Europe), it is a good household insecticide.
5. Jasmine - anti-depressant, antiseptic. Used to overcome anxiety and depression.
6. Lavender - the world's most common essential oil, used since the Middle Ages. Relaxes, calms, antiseptic.
7. Neem - extracted from an Indian tree and is used primarily in health and beauty products. Said to be anti- almost everything - antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal and antihistamine, among others. One of the major essential oils.
8. Neroli - derived from orange blossoms. Said to be calming and good for treating insomnia.
9. Orange - another product from the orange tree, this time pressed from the skin of the fruit. Relaxes and calms, and is often mixed with other oils.
10. Oregano - another of the majors, with just as many "antis" in its list of properties as Neem oil.
11. Rose - pricey, as all who encounter it in skincare products will know. Also an antiseptic and anti-depressant.
12. Rosemary - physical and mental stimulant, but also very relaxing at the end of a stressful day.
13. Tea Tree - derived from an Australian tree, it has a wide range of uses, and at one stage was even in military first-aid kits. Another of the major essential oils.
14. Ylang Ylang - very fragrant, relieves pain, eases anxiety, aphrodisiac.

Even Aromatherapy Soy Candles
These, and many others, are available in a wide range that includes aromatherapy soy candles. Of course, sampling this list might lead to a storage area loaded with a large variety of candles. But when it comes to aromatherapy candles, can you really have too much of a good thing?

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Herbs for Profection

by: Sam Stevens
If you have never used plant matter in magic before, I explain in detail in the column Plants, Herbs and Roots for Prosperity the different ways these substances can be practically used in rituals and everyday practice. In brief, the main methods of using plant material to summon protection are: carrying the substance on your person in a locket or a sachet, boiling the herb and sprinkling the residual water around your residence, putting a sprig of it under your bed or pillow, bathing in a distillation of it or burning it as incense. Also with love attracting, just keeping the living plant in your house can help increase your vibrations. Below I have detailed where an herb can be used for a specific protective purpose.

Ague Weed: A bath in this herb is alleged to banish evil spirits. This herb is also known as Boneset.

Agrimony: Is burned or sprinkled around the house to send bad spirits back to the sender.

Angelica: Worn on the person to protect from evil spirits, however a drawback of this herb is that it also may protect you from opportunities. Used formally in rites of exorcism to get rid of bad spirits. Brew into a tea it and sprinkle in the corners of a house to protect from evil spirits. It is also warn on the person in a locket or sachet for personal protection.

Anise: Stuffed under a pillow it protects from nightmares.

Ash: The branches can be shaken and rattled like a wand to cleanse a place of bad energy.

Asafoetida: Kept in a potpourri or burned for protection.

Bergamot: Usually used for money, but some sources say it can be used for personal protection and to attract good spirits as well.

Borage: Place in an area that is suspicious it is said to make the truth come out or have dishonesty, plots or secrets revealed.

Broom Tops: Boiled in salt water to keep evil spirits and ghosts away.

Caraway: Carry the seeds on your person to protect from disease and ill health. A few seeds in the clothing of a loved one are said to protect your marriage from infidelity.

Carnations: A bouquet of fresh or dried blossoms is said to protect the home and family from rivals and attackers of all sorts.

Camphor: Worn as a balm it is used to ward off physical attack or unwanted advances from others.

Cedar: The boughs or incense are burnt to protect the home from spirits. It also protects those in deep meditation or doing rituals from picking up unwanted energies and astral attack. It is toxic to reptiles and birds, however, so you should be careful using it if you have either as pets.

Coriander: Burn as an incense or wear the seeds on your person to protect against attack. Helps keep friends and lovers from accidents.

Deersbane: Burned to reveal bad energy or tell one the source of bad energy.

Dill: Sprinkle in a corner of a children’s room to protect them from harm.

Elder: A highly protective tree whose branches are burnt or kept in the home to save residents from accidents and attacks of all kinds.

Eucalyptus: Burnt in the home to protect the health from viruses, disease and plagues.

Geranium: Live bouquets, oil and incense are kept in the home to protect the family against attacks of all kinds and also disease. Worn as an oil to protect the health.

Heather: The sprigs are worn on the person or kept in the house to protect from evil spirits and unwanted attentions.

Lavender: Use a fresh bouquet, dried flowers, oil, perfume or incense to protect and shield your person and home from bad vibrations and negative people.

Marjoram: Sprinkled in the house for protection against accidents, burglars and unwanted visitors.

Myrtle: A sprig is kept above the front door for protection.

Motherwort: Burned or kept in sachets or lockets on the person for personal protection.

Pennyroyal: Burned to protect against domestic abuse and violence in the home.

Pine: A wreath of pine protects from bad spirits and attracts good spirits. The incense clears spaces of bad vibrations.

Snakeroot: Used to banish a person or thing from a home.

Rue: Rue Candles are burned for protection and the herb is burned to rid a space of bad thought forms and malevolent energies.

Slippery Elm: Place the herb in the place where you wish to get rid of slander or gossip. It may also be burned while sending bad thoughts back to the sender.

Vetivert: Wear the oil to protect yourself when you go out in dangerous or iffy situations.

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Baby Shower Themes

by: Cathy Cripps
Once the type of shower has been decided on, the fun begins in creating a theme. Sometimes, the shower will be very elegant, sometimes more casual, and sometimes, just downright fun. The theme of the shower should be a direct reflection on the expectant parents’ personalities and lifestyle. Therefore, when hosting, it is important that they have input into the final decisions.
Again, you can do anything you like, as long as it coordinates with what the couple wants. If you will be the host, take this opportunity to use your imagination, borrow ideas, and allow the creative juices to flow. You want the baby shower to be enjoyable, full of laughter, and a memorable occasional regardless of the theme. The following are a few popular recommendations:
SUPPERTIME
Typically, a baby shower consists of games, food, and presents. However, why not take the idea one-step further by including frozen dinners, preferably homemade. If the couple has room, have each guest bring something that can be frozen or is already frozen.
Whether the shower is before or after the birth of the baby, this means the couple does not have to spend tired nights trying to cook. Instead, they can simply pull out one of the frozen dinners, pop it in the oven or microwave, and in a short time, have a nutritious homemade meal.
You would be amazed at how much this sentiment is appreciated. Just be sure everyone labels the food with the name, date, and any cooking instructions. Finally, if possible, try to provide some meal ideas for guests so they know what types of food the couple enjoys. By offering a little guidance, this will also help reduce the chance of duplication.
IOU
This theme baby shower is not only fun but also a tremendous help to both the expectant mother and father. With this, every guest would bring a handwritten, signed, and dated IOU that would provide a service after the birth of the baby. Similar to task coupons, the mother can call upon the IOU when needed and the family member of friend complies. Some of the things you would expect to see include:
One home cooked dinner
One night of babysitting
Four hours of house cleaning
One week of laundry
One week of running errands
BEDRIDDEN
Unfortunately, pregnancy is not a breeze for every mother. Some women have complications that can keep her bedridden at home or even at the hospital. For the expectant mother, waiting for the birth of a child from bed is lousy. A baby shower can be customized around her situation to brighten her day, giving her hope while lifting her spirits.
Instead of waiting on the birth of the baby, go ahead and plan the shower with close family members and friends, bringing the shower to her. Remember, after the baby is born, a full-scale shower can always follow. However, for this type of shower, guests should create a miniature gift box or basket. Great ideas of what might be offered include:
Craft projects that can be worked on in bed are good choices. This might include cross-stitch, needlepoint, simple paintings, and even handmade ornaments.
Books are also excellent ideas but it is important to choose books that she likes. Ask her or her family what types of books she enjoys reading.
Puzzles are also a great way for the expectant mother to pass the time. This might include crossword puzzles, other puzzle books, or a flat tray with a small piece puzzle, perhaps of a baby.
Video tapes or DVDs are nice in that she can watch her favorite television shows or movies while still getting the rest needed.
A day spa certificate to include massage, facial, pedicure, and manicure for after her baby is born would provide her with something to look forward to but you might also go in with other people in having a reflexologist or masseuse come to her.
Care package for after the birth, again to help her think about the future. This could include a trip to the beauty parlor, dinner out with her husband or friend, housecleaning service for two to four weeks, three to six-month supply of diapers, and so on.
Body lotion, perfume, balloons, flowers, and other similar things are always nice to help brighten the room and put her in a better mood while waiting for her new bundle of joy to arrive.

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Bedridden Mother baby shower party

by: Cathy Cripps
BEDRIDDENUnfortunately, pregnancy is not a breeze for every mother. Some women have complications that can keep her bedridden at home or even at the hospital. For the expectant mother, waiting for the birth of a child from bed is lousy. A baby shower can be customized around her situation to brighten her day, giving her hope while lifting her spirits.Instead of waiting on the birth of the baby, go ahead and plan the shower with close family members and friends, bringing the shower to her. Remember, after the baby is born, a full-scale shower can always follow. However, for this type of shower, guests should create a miniature gift box or basket. Great ideas of what might be offered include:•Craft projects that can be worked on in bed are good choices. This might include cross-stitch, needlepoint, simple paintings, and even handmade ornaments.•Books are also excellent ideas but it is important to choose books that she likes. Ask her or her family what types of books she enjoys reading.•Puzzles are also a great way for the expectant mother to pass the time. This might include crossword puzzles, other puzzle books, or a flat tray with a small piece puzzle, perhaps of a baby.•Video tapes or DVDs are nice in that she can watch her favorite television shows or movies while still getting the rest needed.•A day spa certificate to include massage, facial, pedicure, and manicure for after her baby is born would provide her with something to look forward to but you might also go in with other people in having a reflexologist or masseuse come to her.•Care package for after the birth, again to help her think about the future. This could include a trip to the beauty parlor, dinner out with her husband or friend, housecleaning service for two to four weeks, three to six-month supply of diapers, and so on.•Body lotion, perfume, balloons, flowers, and other similar things are always nice to help brighten the room and put her in a better mood while waiting for her new bundle of joy to arrive.

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Best Beauty Buys For 2005 Summer

by: Sher Matsen
So many beauty products, which to buy? Each of us is different so our suggestions may not work for all but they are a good place to start. We've had 20 staff members test each product and then compiled their opinions to give you our 25 best beauty buys.1. Sue Devitt Pencil Liner is nice and creamy with a velvety texture and is available in 10 shades 2. Mac Eye Shadow has a wide selection of colors. If the color is available from mother nature than Mac has it. Rich texture and blends easily 3. Revlon Eye Shadow is expensive and has a huge selection of shades. The colors are up todate and apply easily 4. Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara is dependable and affordable. Comes with a nice fine brush that grabs every eyelash and the formula is nice and rich and doesn't flake 5. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Filler has a great color selection and applies easily with a brush 6. Stila Convertible Color Blush creates natural looking rosy cheeks. Creamy formula blends well producing a very natural look. 7. Revlon Skinlights Bronzer is inexpensive. It's rich and smooth texture is easy to apply and it is enriched with vitamins A, C, and E. Available in 6 shades and has a SPF15. 8. Tarte Cheek Stain is an oil free push up blush available in 5 natural tones. 9. Max Factor Erace Concealer is inexpensive with a sheer texture so it can be used around the eyes, but covers well enough to hide those more prominent imperfections. 10. Mac Pressed Powder is ultra translucent and you can be sure no shine will creep through. 11. Mac Lipstick is available in over 200 shades. They won't bleed and have a good lasting power. 12. Mario Badescu Lip wax is soothing and not waxy. It is enriched with Vitamins C & E and has a SPF15. 13. Lancome Juicy Tubes Lip Gloss can be worn by itself or layered over your lipstick, resulting in luscious glistening lips 14. Cetaphil Facial Cleanser is highly recommended by dermatologists. No perfumes or irritants, powerful mild cleansing. 15. Kinara Lactic Acid facial Exfloiator is a light hydrating serum that easily absorbs into the skin. Non abrasive exfoliant that cleans deep 16. Olay Regnerist Anti Wrinkle Cream is enhanced with pentapeptides and amino acids that encourage production of collagen for firmer skin. 17. Lancome Heavy Duty Moisturizer is a nonsticky cream that contains glycerin, wild yam extract, sea algae, and soy restore moisture. 18. Dove Facial Cleanser is mild and easily rinses away makeup and oil leaving skin feeling fresh and clean 19. Aveeno Facial Moisturizer is an excellent emoillience but it is scented. Oil-free lotion enriched with skin softening soy extract 20. Murad Acne Kit consists of 4 steps - cleanser with triclosan and salicylic acid to fight bacteria, pore cleaning gel with glycolic and salicylic acids, exfoliating lotion with retinol, and spot treatment with sulphur 21. Kiehl's Blue Herbal Pimple Healer Spot Treatement is a fast acting blemish fighting gel. Contains Salicylic acid, and glycolic acid as well as herbal incredients such as cinnamon bark and ginger root 22. Lancome Eye Makeup Remover will even remove waterproof mascara. Very gentle so perfect for sensitive skin 23. L'Oreal Home Microdermabrasion is a two part system. Smooth skin with aluminum oxide crystals and moisturize with vitamin E cream 24. Neutrogena T/Gel Dandruff Shampoo is soothing and calms the scalp eliminating flakes and relieving itchy scalp 25. Pantene Pro V Overall Conditioner is inexpensive and hairstylists say its great. Frizz fighting rich nourishing formula rich in vitamins is easily absorbed by the hair.

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Best Beauty Buys

by: Sher Matsen
So many beauty products, which to buy? Each of us is different so our suggestions may not work for all but they are a good place to start. We’ve had 20 staff members test each product and then compiled their opinions to give you our 25 best beauty buys.1. Sue Devitt Pencil Liner is nice and creamy with a velvety texture and is available in 10 shades2. Mac Eye Shadow has a wide selection of colors. If the color is available from mother nature than Mac has it. Rich texture and blends easily3. Revlon Eye Shadow is expensive and has a huge selection of shades. The colors are up todate and apply easily4. Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara is dependable and affordable. Comes with a nice fine brush that grabs every eyelash and the formula is nice and rich and doesn’t flake5. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Filler has a great color selection and applies easily with a brush6. Stila Convertible Color Blush creates natural looking rosy cheeks. Creamy formula blends well producing a very natural look.7. Revlon Skinlights Bronzer is inexpensive. It’s rich and smooth texture is easy to apply and it is enriched with vitamins A, C, and E. Available in 6 shades and has a SPF15.8. Tarte Cheek Stain is an oil free push up blush available in 5 natural tones.9. Max Factor Erace Concealer is inexpensive with a sheer texture so it can be used around the eyes, but covers well enough to hide those more prominent imperfections.10. Mac Pressed Powder is ultra translucent and you can be sure no shine will creep through.11. Mac Lipstick is available in over 200 shades. They won’t bleed and have a good lasting power.12. Mario Badescu Lip wax is soothing and not waxy. It is enriched with Vitamins C & E and has a SPF15.13. Lancome Juicy Tubes Lip Gloss can be worn by itself or layered over your lipstick, resulting in luscious glistening lips14. Cetaphil Facial Cleanser is highly recommended by dermatologists. No perfumes or irritants, powerful mild cleansing.15. Kinara Lactic Acid facial Exfloiator is a light hydrating serum that easily absorbs into the skin. Non abrasive exfoliant that cleans deep16. Olay Regnerist Anti Wrinkle Cream is enhanced with pentapeptides and amino acids that encourage production of collagen for firmer skin.17. Lancome Heavy Duty Moisturizer is a nonsticky cream that contains glycerin, wild yam extract, sea algae, and soy restore moisture.18. Dove Facial Cleanser is mild and easily rinses away makeup and oil leaving skin feeling fresh and clean19. Aveeno Facial Moisturizer is an excellent emoillience but it is scented. Oil-free lotion enriched with skin softening soy extract20. Murad Acne Kit consists of 4 steps – cleanser with triclosan and salicylic acid to fight bacteria, pore cleaning gel with glycolic and salicylic acids, exfoliating lotion with retinol, and spot treatment with sulphur21. Kiehl’s Blue Herbal Pimple Healer Spot Treatement is a fast acting blemish fighting gel. Contains Salicylic acid, and glycolic acid as well as herbal incredients such as cinnamon bark and ginger root22. Lancome Eye Makeup Remover will even remove waterproof mascara. Very gentle so perfect for sensitive skin23. L’Oreal Home Microdermabrasion is a two part system. Smooth skin with aluminum oxide crystals and moisturize with vitamin E cream24. Neutrogena T/Gel Dandruff Shampoo is soothing and calms the scalp eliminating flakes and relieving itchy scalp25. Pantene Pro V Overall Conditioner is inexpensive and hairstylists say its great. Frizz fighting rich nourishing formula rich in vitamins is easily absorbed by the hairThese products are great choices to keep you looking great!

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Helping Our Children Feel Good About Themselves

by: Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
We have so much influence over the next generation! Lots of times we forget how much influence, as our children or grandchildren can appear to ignore us, forget us or even worse--run from us in one way or another. Sometimes, we must just accept the fact that lots of times positive actions happen without positive recognition! Therefore, it behooves us as the 'grownups' in our personal worlds to keep looking for ways to help the young ones experience good times, feel nurtured and loved and to walk away from situations just a little more one the road to developing as a whole person with a good sense of self. I can assure you that insistence on creating a meaningful world for our children does eventually pay off!I'd like to share with you how Lorna did just that with her daughter Sabrina. Here is some of what she wrote to me:‘Yesterday afternoon Sabrina, my six year old daughter, was helping me make Chinese sesame cookies for our church's girls' club. Sabrina attends weekly club meetings and is always happy to help me out with the snacks for club. These cookies needed to be rolled into little balls and then rolled into sesame seeds. The ‘seeding' of the cookies was Sabrina's job. We were halfway through the dough. She was rolling away. Suddenly she said to me without looking up, "This is great! I get to spend quality time with Daddy and now more time with you!"She was referring to her Sunday evenings alone with her daddy. Sunday evenings at 5:30 pm, I leave and take my 9 year-old son to the boys club at church where I also help with snacks. During the time we are gone, Sabrina and her daddy have a tea party almost every Sunday evening. They turn the lights off, light the candles that I have usually in the center of the table, then boil water, and set the table. There is usually some kind of ‘tea cookie' (like shortbread) in the pantry. They take those and then serve each other tea and cookies. Sometimes they act silly. e.g. Acting very aloof with flowery language or just simply talking about this and that.Last Sunday evening I did not have to stay at club until it was over. I got home just in time for the tea party. Sabrina set me a spot at the table. She offered me sugar and cookies. We chatted. She acted a little silly. It was really cute and I was glad I got to peek in on what she and my husband usually do. After I had a couple sips, I slipped away to my office to check email so they could have their usual special time alone.'Lorna, Sabrina's mom, is describing such a wonderful activity that lends itself both to building self-esteem and to beautiful positive memories in the future. I can picture Sabrina sharing her tea parties with her daddy years later with her own children! Exercise: Play Date with a Child in Your LifeCan you think of something special that you could offer a child in your life? You don't have to be a parent or grandparent. You may know a child down the street, or a cousin or even a friend's child. A special outing or treat can go a long way to bringing delight to a child. I remember when my aunt Rose arrived at my cousin's home with a surprise for me! It was a box in the shape of a treasure chest and it contained some perfume and soaps all designed for a little girl. I was thrilled and felt very special. I can still remember lovingly keeping my treasure chest and eventually filling it with other treasures after I had used all the soaps, lotions and bubble bath. Yes, this treasure chest did make me feel special, very feminine and created a great memory trace.I know you will have fun with a play date. Keep us posted on what you do.

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